Is My Network Safe?

[AkhilStyle]

Hi,

I have a home network (adsl 512k wth a router). 2 Pcs are wired and one laptop is wireless.

1. There is a firewall in the router. Is this sufficient to block incoming intrusions? I also run windows firewall. Is anything else needed?

2. I run spyware programs (spybot and adaware) weekly on each computer - should I get anymore?

Thanks

[Elaine]

I would also run a software firewall such as ZoneAlarm or Sygate as they can prevent and alert you to outgoing traffic from your computers which would be caused by a trojan and/or spyware. I would also use the tea timer in Spybot and install SpywareBlaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html) to prevent spyware instead of just scanning for it once a week. It's also important to remember to manually update both programs on a very regular basis.

[AkhilStyle]

I used to use zone alarm before I got my router, and after it I didn't recieve any intrusions for a month or so so I uninstalled it.

See what you mean about the outgoing traffic though

[punkass76]

when something on your pc tries accessing the internet.

i.e a software prog wants to check for updates so it contacts its web server, but instead of just doing it, your firewall ( 3rd party 1 ) kicks in and asks if you want to give permission for this prog to whatever its trying to do.